Datuk JC Fong
KUCHING: A disciplinarian yet caring, a great advocator of racial, religious harmony and an accomplished footballer, these were the words used to describe the late Brother Columba who passed away in his native Ireland on Wednesday.
Born James Gleeson, the 81-year-old is considered one of the most respected and much-loved principals of St Joseph’s School, Kuching, where he spent 22 years as part of its teaching fraternity.
He had contributed in more ways than just imparting knowledge. He inculcated good values and played a significant role in promoting good understanding and respect among people of various races, recalled state legal counsel Datuk JC Fong.
“We are much saddened by the passing of Brother Columba, a distinguished principal of this school. He spent his whole career as a teacher in Sarawak. In fact, he had said so many times that he had never taught a single Irish student. All his students were from Sarawak.
“He had done a lot in education, not only for St Joseph’s but the whole state. In general, he had contributed in more ways than just impartknowledge. When he was here, he cultivated unity and harmony among the staff and students from diverse family and racial backgrounds, cultures, creeds and levels of ability,” Fong, who represented the school’s board of management, told a press conference at the school yesterday.
Brother Columba, who was Fong’s class teacher in Lower 6 Arts in 1966, spent his entire teaching career in the state. At the young age of 22, Gleeson arrived in Sarawak in 1957 to teach in Sacred Heart School in Sibu until 1962, when he returned to Ireland to further his studies.
“Whilst in Sibu, Brother Columba excelled as a left fullback, representing Sibu football team in the then Sarawak Cup competition in the early 1960s,” Fong continued.
In 1966, Gleeson returned to Sarawak to teach Economics, Geography and General Paper in St Joseph’s Kuching. Also a keen hockey player, he introduced the sport at St Joseph’s, after which the school went on to produce outstanding players in the game. He took over as principal from the late Brother Albinus in 1970 and served until 1987.
Prior to his retirement, Gleeson felt that the locals, from the ranks of ex-pupils, should take over the responsibility of managing St Joseph’s so that the fine tradition of the school and quality education of the youths here – cultivated during the La Salle Brother’s era – would be maintained.
“During his stewardship, St Joseph’s enjoyed an era of excellent academic results and outstanding performance in sports and extra-curricular activities. A skilful motivator, Bother Columba forged a strong bond with fellow teachers and students, developing their teaching and intellectual potentials,” Fong continued.
St Joseph’s Secondary School principal Thomas Lau described Brother Columba as an excellent principal and very effective in his teaching and disciplinary methods that benefitted many people. The latter always emphasised teamwork and sports to instil harmony.
Meanwhile, state Public Works Department director Zuraimi Sabki described Brother Columba as a person who had touched and shaped many lives, particularly students who had the privilege to learn and develop under his administration.
Zuraimi, who is a 1977 alumnus of St Joseph’s Kuching, highly respected his former principal whom he described as very understanding and tolerant of all races, religions and cultures.
“Why do I feel sad and wish to shed a tear for a foreigner? Because in Brother Columba, we don’t meet this kind of people anymore. He did not compromise universal values when inculcating discipline. He always gave us the truth, he emphasised integrity and he was very caring,” he said.
At the state’s 50th Anniversary Celebration of Independence, Gleeson was honoured with a Bronze Commemoration Medal from the state government.
After retirement, he engaged actively in pastoral work in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, including counselling youths. For family reasons, he returned to Ireland in 1997 where he served the La Salle Community in various capacities in Castletown and Belfast.
Born on March 18, 1935 to a farming family in a small town called Cullenwaine, Gleeson was the eldest of eight children. At the age of 13, he left home to join the De La Salle Brothers’ Junior Training Centre at Mallow and Castletown. Brother Columba passed away at about 7.30pm (Malaysian Time) on Feb 3 at Miguel House, a retirement home at Castletown.
His funeral is to take place today. He will be buried at a special cemetery set up for the La Salle Brothers.